Taraxacum formosanum
Kitam.
iNaturalist· cc0
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
iNaturalist· cc0
no rights reserved
Summary
A perennial plant featuring a taproot system, growing in sandy, loamy, or clay soils with adequate drainage. Hermaphroditic and self-fertile with insect pollination. Prefers consistently moist soil and pH ranging from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. Performs well in semi-shade or open sunlight.
Description
A herb. The leaves are near the ground and there is no stem. The flower heads are large and occur singly. There are many leaves. They have a few stiff hairs on both surfaces when young. They are narrowly oval and 8-20 cm long by 1-4 cm wide.
Edible Uses
Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The following uses are also likely applicable to this species, though no specific records confirm them: roots can be cooked; flowers can be eaten raw or cooked, with unopened buds suitable for fritters; the whole dried plant makes a tea, as do the flowers, leaves, and roots individually. The root is dried and roasted to make a coffee substitute.
Traditional Uses
The unopened flower buds are used for fritters and for tea.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In Taiwan it occurs in coastal areas in the north. It grows on seashore dunes.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Taiwan,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. Many species in this genus produce their seed apomictically. This is an asexual method of seed production where each seed is genetically identical to the parent plant. Occasionally seed is produced sexually, the resulting seedlings are somewhat different to the parent plants and if these plants are sufficiently distinct from the parents and then produce apomictic seedlings these seedlings are, in theory at least, a new species.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, either surface-sowing or covering only very lightly, and keep the compost moist. Germination should occur within two weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots — using relatively deep pots to accommodate the taproot — when large enough to handle, and plant out in early summer. Division can be done in early spring as the plant comes into growth.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are 50-60 Taraxacum species.
Synonyms
References (2)
- Lim, T. K., Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants Volume 7 Flowers
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
